Iran and the United States have initiated indirect negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program even as military tensions escalate. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that during military exercises on the 17th, they would temporarily block part of the Hormuz Strait, a critical waterway for global oil transport. The drills included missile strikes on targets in the Strait, underscoring Iran's military capabilities at a time of ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, the United States has deployed a nuclear aircraft carrier in the region, prepared for potential military action against Iran, according to reports from U.S. officials.

Negotiations commenced on the same day as military drills began, taking place in Geneva at the Omani Embassy, where diplomats from both nations are reporting indirect communication through Omani intermediaries. On the US side, representatives include President Trump's envoy Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner, highlighting the high stakes involved. The discussions follow escalated tensions since the US withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018, with both sides remaining cautious amidst ongoing military flexing and threats.

President Trump warned that failure to reach an agreement would have unfavorable outcomes for Iran, while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that the US could not destroy Iran. This backdrop of military posturing and negotiations raises significant implications for regional security and the ongoing international efforts to manage Iran's nuclear ambitions, reflecting the complexity of diplomacy in an area marked by historical tensions.